Luke Bryan surprises guests at annual Charlie Daniels event

By Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 on 4/4/2014

A crowd of more than 4,500 packed Allen Arena to help legendary musician Charlie Daniels raise awareness and funds for Lipscomb veterans’ scholarships at the fifth annual Copperweld Charlie Daniels’ Scholarships for Heroes event March 25.

“This is a fine university that is doing a quality job educating our veterans,” said Daniels. “I cannot imagine working with a better educational institution than Lipscomb on this project.”

Joining Daniels were country artists Clint Black, Kellie Pickler, Lee Greenwood, The Grascals and the American Hitmen with a special appearance by the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters. One of the highlights of the night came when country superstar Luke Bryan made a surprise appearance to sing “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” with the Charlie Daniels Band.

Each year up to ten students receive the Charlie Daniels Scholarship for Heroes, which benefits veterans who are ineligible for the post-9/11 G.I. Bill scholarships. Lipscomb also offers the post-G.I. Bill scholarships through its Yellow Ribbon Scholarships Program, offering free undergraduate tuition and greatly discounted graduate tuition for eligible military veterans or their family members.

Lipscomb University officials believe strongly in helping open doors for student veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Since its inception in fall 2009, Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program has graduated 104 student veterans. Students have performed well academically with 71 percent of currently enrolled student veterans maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, with 13 percent of those maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. This semester, more than 200 student veterans are enrolled at Lipscomb University.